AN EAST Lancashire community heroine met her own inspiration at an awards ceremony in London for Asian Women of Achievement.

Samina Kauser, 27, from Nelson, was nominated for a young achiever's award by the Prince's Trust for volunteer work across East Lancashire and her success as a youth support worker at Walton Secondary School.

Despite not winning the award, Samina was inspired by Prime Ministers's wife and legal high-flyer Cherie Booth.

She came away from the ceremony at London's Hilton Hotel, determined to redouble her efforts to promote opportunities for women nearer home.

Samina suffers from multiple allergy syndrome and has to inject herself several times a day during her job as a pastoral support worker.

In an average day, she can deal with cases of bullying, racism, drugs, abuse and depression.

As well as this, she works outside school hours to change attitudes towards the Muslim community and to encourage Asian women to have high aspirations.

Samina said: "When I looked round at the awards ceremony most people were scientists or lawyers or really high up in the arts world, which is totally different to the work I do in deprived areas. But it was really inspiring and made me think of what people should be aiming for.

"There's a lot of work to be done in East Lancashire but I'm going to make a real effort to encourage women generally and especially among the Asian community, to aspire to doing the kinds of things those women do.

"Cherie Blair looked lovely. She was wearing a sari and made a real effort to talk to people.

"I'm really pleased to have been there."

The young achiever's award was won by 26-year-old Preeya Khoorbhoor.